Oxford United are considering their options in the final days of the loan market after being priced out of extending a deal for Lee Holmes by rivals Swindon Town.

The midfielder scored twice in seven games during his four-week stay with the U’s, which came to an end last weekend.

Hopes of a new deal ended on Wednesday after competition from the Robins, who were able to pay a greater proportion of the Southampton player’s wages.

United chairman Kelvin Thomas understood the decision and pointed out the departure freed up resources to bring in an alternative target for the run-in, if needed, before the deadline next Thursday.

He said: “There’s room if we need to bring someone in, but we couldn’t match the level we would’ve needed to keep Lee.

“Things can happen very quickly in football.

“I’ve known transfers happen in an hour, so I’m not worried about there being eight days left.

“There could be some movement before the window closes, but we have to make sure we assess the injuries right – we need to be protected going into the end of the season.”

The U’s had been hoping to keep Holmes until the end of the campaign and last week the former Derby County trainee revealed to the Oxford Mail he was happy to stay, saying: “I’ve loved playing week-in week-out.

“To help Oxford get to where they want to in the play-offs is exciting, so you’d be crazy not to want to be involved.”

The 24-year-old Holmes had been a big hit with the U’s supporters, setting up both goals in the 2-0 derby win against Swindon and scoring twice in the 2-2 draw at Shrewsbury.

Mark Sennett, from supporters’ group OxVox, said: “It’s Southamp-ton’s prerogative to loan him to whoever they want, but if his final destination is Swindon, I’d like to thank Lee for the wonderful performance he put in to help us complete the double over them.

“You have to have faith Chris Wilder can go out and get another good player.”

* OXFORD United supporters have a chance to quiz the club’s key figures at the Kassam Stadium on Thursday night.

Chairman Kelvin Thomas, owner Ian Lenagan and manager Chris Wilder will be among the U’s staff on hand to answer questions at the fans’ forum.

Entry is free, but donations can be made to representatives of the 12th Man fund, who will be collecting.

Doors open at 6pm, with the forum beginning in the Quadrangle Suite an hour later.